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Tuesday 05 Nov 2024
LOCAL EDITION
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LOCAL EDITION
Ramiza Ali at the Criminal Court on September 28, 2021.
The prosecution on Tuesday submitted numerous evidence against Ramiza Ali, a woman on trial for money laundering charges.
When the charges were read in the Criminal Court, the prosecution stated that Ramiza and her husband Hassan Looth, along with two other associates were involved in smuggling and large-scale trafficking of drugs in Maldives.
The prosecution also noted that a large amount of cash was found in a raid on the couple’s residence, M. Kuredhimaage in Male’ City, which was conducted based on an intelligence report of drug trafficking operations being run out of four properties linked with them.
The police found MVR 16,000 in cash from a locker in a room situated on the second floor of their residence, as well as a bag with MVR 1 million, and another with MVR 450,000.
In addition to the money discovered in the raid, Ramiza’s husband transferred MVR 95,510 to a saving investment account opened under her name in Maldives Islamic Bank, MVR 194,170 to an account under her name in Bank of Maldives, and MVR 103,370 to an account under their son’s name in Maldives Islamic Bank.
During the hearing, the prosecution submitted 28 oral pieces of evidence as well as other documents against her as proof of her involvement in all of the above transactions.
While Ramiza has denied all the charges against her and maintains that she was unaware the money given by her husband was obtained through drug trafficking. Her defence lawyer, Ali Shah said that his client had been living in Gdh. Thinadhoo, and that she arrived in Male’ a week after her husband’s arrest. Shah also noted Looth runs multiple businesses including rentals and launch operations and was yet to be convicted of drug trafficking.
Additionally, during this hearing, evidence was submitted from Ramiza in her defence.
Once both defence and accused concluded presenting evidence, the presiding judge concluded that the case could be processed as a civil case, and granted 15 days to submit all necessary documents prior to the trial.
If found guilty, Ramiza faces up to 5-15 years in prison and a fine of MVR 100,000-MVR 10 million.
